As the year winds down and the dust begins to settle it’s getting pretty clear which businesses came out winning and which businesses won’t even be walking away with a consolation prize this holiday season.
Front and center in the headlines: Amazon.com’s continuing dominance in online sales fueled by a series of incredibly strategic partnerships, a competitive pricing structure, and its respected brand name, in contrast to the dismal performance and equally dismal announcement of store-closings by retail behemoths, Sears Holdings and Kmart.
But even in the best of times the year-end holiday season tends to have a cathartic effect, weeding out some under-performers while causing others to change their offerings. To get a glimpse at how several of the major retail industries performed this year, check out our new infographic: 2011Holiday Retail Winners and Losers.